Aragón, Cantabria, La Rioja and Galicia caravan and motorhome sites

Northern Spain is the perfect destination for hiking, cycling, bird watching and fishing with its predominantly lush green landscape and expansive forests. This is a destination that delights visitors with its Mudéjar architecture, a chance to sample authentic Spanish tapas and a plethora of deliciously fresh seafood not forgetting their world famous Rioja wine. The food scene of northern Spain is widely regarded as the best of the country.

Aragón is a landlocked region in north-eastern Spain bisected by the Ebro river, with the Pyrenees Mountains to the north and Valencia to the south. Aragón is known for its ornate, Moorish-influenced architecture represented magnificently in the 1686 basílica of Nuestra Senora del Pilar in Zaragoza, the regional capital and a commercial city boasting wide boulevards and one of the most diverse gastronomic scenes in Spain.

Cantabria is an autonomous region on Spain’s north coast. Santander, the capital, is a port on the Bay of Biscay, known for its long, curving El Sardinero Beach. Some of the best mountain walks in Europe can be found here, along with great cuisine, cider houses, prehistoric caves and well preserved medieval villages.

La Rioja is a province and autonomous community in northern Spain with a world renowned local wine industry. Situated below the Cantabrian Mountains, vineyards occupy the Ebro valley and surround the old town of Haro. The region produces 280 to 300 million litres of wine per year and comprises approximately 63,593 hectares of vineyards. Local wineries (bodegas) range from small, traditional cellars to major commercial producers.

Major towns and cities

Aragón

• Zaragoza - the regional capital, famous for its rich historical heritage
• Huesca - known for its hilly mediaeval old town
• Teruel - is a high-altitude town, known for classic Mudéjar architecture

Cantabria

• Santander - is the regional capital, a combination of green mountain landscapes with white sandy beaches
• Torrelavega - a municipality and important industrial and commercial hub

La Rioja

• Logroño - a stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela
• Santo Domingo de la Calzada - its name refers to its founder, Dominic de la Calzada, who built a bridge, hospital, and hotel for pilgrims

Galicia

• A Coruña - the city and surrounding towns are well-known for their 'galerias', which are enclosed in glass balconies
• Ferrol - was a major naval shipbuilding centre for most of its history
• Santiago de Compostela - Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings
• Vigo - the gateway to some of Galicia's most beautiful scenery

Regional attractions

Aragon

• Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar - the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Zaragoza, Aragon
• Palacio de La Aljafería - the Aljafería Palace is a fortified medieval palace built during the second half of the 11th century in the Taifa of Zaragoza
• Plaza del Pilar - the Plaza of Our Lady of the Pillar is one of the busiest and popular places in Zaragoza, Spain.

Cantabria

• Prehistory and Archaeology Museum of Cantabria - Cantabria Prehistory and Archaeology Museum conserves all the artefacts and remains recovered by archaeological excavations in the region
• Península of Magdalena - this 28 hectare of woodlands and gardens is a popular recreational destination for both tourists and locals. The historic Palacio de la Magdalena is located on the peninsula, which along with its surrounding gardens, is designated as a cultural heritage site
• El Capricho de Gaudí - designed by the amazing architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet and is considered to be one of the jewels of European Modernism. While exploring the interior, exterior and the gardens, you will discover a work of great colour, inspired in nature and full of symbolism

La Rioja

• Wine tasting and visit of wineries and vineyards - hosting the famous La Rioja wine, there are plenty of wineries and vineyards to visit
• Tierra Rapaz - thematic and educational birds of prey centre, they host several educational shows and scientific demonstrations
• Monasterio de Yuso - the 6th-century Monasterio de Yuso can be seen in the exhibition room. The replicas of the Romanesque ivories on the caskets are outstanding: reliquaries of San Millán from the 11th c. and of San Felices from the 12th c.

Galicia

• Camino de Santiago - a network of paths leading to a church holding the remains of St. James (Santo Iago), the patron saint of Spain
• Tower of Hércules - built by the Romans around AD 98–117, this is the world's oldest functioning lighthouse.
• As Catedrais Beach - stunning sandy beach to relax and enjoy sightseeing the rock formations